As with all Takata recalls, a combination of high temperatures and humidity can make the airbag inflator propellant degrade.

If an affected vehicle is involved in a crash where the airbags are triggered, there’s a risk the metal inflator housing could rupture, sending metal fragments shooting into the cabin. This places occupants at risk of serious injury or death.

A total of 4795 units are impacted across this latest batch of Holden and Opel model lines – a VIN list is attached here.

Holden is calling for owners of the affected vehicles to contact their nearest dealership to organise a replacement inflator.

The Takata airbag recall affects more than 100 million vehicles and nearly 20 automotive brands around the world. Among those are more than five million vehicles in Australia, the equivalent of four years of nationwide sales.

Globally, there have been 20 deaths linked to the scandal, and 230 serious injuries. One Australian motorist lost their life to a faulty Takata airbag in July 2017, one month after another Australian driver was seriously injured.

In February 2018, the recall of vehicles affected by the faulty Takata airbags was made compulsory under law, with affected manufacturers required to replace all defective airbags by the end of 2020. Last month the ACCC added some 1.1 million vehicles to the compulsory recall.

According to the Australian Government, the risk of a defective Takata airbag rupturing may arise between 6 and 25 years after it is installed in a vehicle. In areas of high heat and humidity, the risk of rupture may arise between 6 and 9 years.